The family of the teen accused of stabbing a student athlete to death at a track meet plans to spend money on a new home and security to keep the alleged murderer safe after he is released from jail.
Karmelo Anthony walked out of jail on Monday, silently accompanied by his family, who posted his $250,000 bond after a judge agreed to reduce it from $1 million.
Anthony is accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in the stands during a track meet on April 2.
He is now on house arrest, which requires him to wear an ankle monitor and stay inside his parents’ home.
Over $420,000 has been donated to Anthony’s family in an online fundraiser for the alleged killer, who reportedly received racist threats after Metcalf’s murder.
During the judge’s ruling on Monday, prosecutors questioned Anthony’s father about why he couldn’t use the donated money to pay the original bond and release his son from jail.
Andrew Anthony responded that the money would be used for his son’s legal defense.
He said the money would be used for security to protect Anthony, who has reportedly received racist threats since the stabbing.
Andrew also stated that the family intends to move into a new home for added security.
Anthony’s lawyers insisted that the money raised online “is not a bond fund” and that the family requires the funds to survive because Anthony’s father is currently on leave from work.
“This family needs to be able to survive,” defense attorney Mike Howard told Fox affiliate KDFW.
“There has been a tremendous amount of pressure. Given everything, I believe that living in a gated community is extremely important for their younger children’s safety.
“Security details and criminal defense are not cheap.”
Meghan Metcalf, Austin’s mom, put her head down and cried when the judge ruled to reduce Anthony’s bond on Monday.
Anthony’s lawyers originally asked prosecutors to reduce his bond to $150,000, saying $1 million was too high because the teen had never been in trouble before.
‘IN SELF-DEFENSE’
While prosecutors have charged Anthony with first-degree murder, the alleged murderer claims he stabbed Metcalf in self defense.
Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest during a fight in the stands of a Frisco, Texas, stadium on April 2, according to police.
Karmelo Anthony’s house arrest
On Monday, a judge reduced Karmelo Anthony’s bond from $1 million to $250,000 and released him.
Anthony had been in Collin County Jail since April 2, when he was arrested and charged with the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf.
The teen is now under house arrest at his parents’ house, with an ankle monitor.
He’s not allowed to use social media.
He is unable to contact Metcalf’s family in any way.
Anthony is only allowed to leave his house with court permission, and he must always be supervised by a parent.
He must check in with the judge’s bailiff every Friday morning.
Anthony will be returned to jail if he violates any of the house arrest conditions.
According to the arrest report, Anthony informed a school official that Metcalf “put his hands on him.”
When police referred to Anthony as the alleged suspect, he reportedly responded, “I’m not alleged. “I did it.”
After Metcalf told Anthony to leave his seat, witnesses said Anthony told him to “touch me and see what happens”.
Anthony then reached into his bag and stabbed Metcalf, leaving him to die in his brother’s embrace.
LEAVING JAIL
On Monday, Anthony walked out of jail in a gray suit, stone-faced, ignoring reporters who asked him how the killing could be considered self-defense.
Following Monday’s bond hearing, Howard told reporters outside the courtroom that Anthony acted in self-defense.
“Every Texan deserves the right to defend themselves when they reasonably fear for their life,” Mr. Howard stated.
“Self-defense is a protection that applies to all of us. There are two sides to every story.
“Karmelo is 17 years old and an excellent student. He is the captain of both his track and football teams. “This is a complete tragedy for both families,” Howard said.
During the hearing, prosecutors argued that the murder was unjustified.
“For reasons unknown, the defendant brought a knife to a track meet for what probably could have been a fist fight at worst,” Collin County First Assistant Bill Wirsky said on Monday.
Prosecutors also claimed Anthony was involved in another altercation at school on February 4.
As of Tuesday morning, the Anthony’s family fundraiser had raised $429,857 of its $500,000 goal.
The fundraiser has sparked outrage online, with people demanding that the donation page be removed in honor of Metcalf’s family.
